Quarterback Power Rankings – Week 13

2016 NFL quarterback power rankings, Week 13

Don’t forget about me

Dallas still has a case of Dak-mania, but Aaron Rodgers has reminded us to not give up on “old” QBs just yet.

Each week this season we’re ranking the starting QBs, and with a late-season push by the veterans, the rankings are stacked with star power. Will Prescott or Derek Carr steal the top spot – and the MVP to boot? Those young guns could do it, but beware – they’re surrounded by a grizzled group that’s armed and dangerous.

AP PhotosMichael Perez

32 Matt Barkley, Bears

Got his first career start last week vs. the Titans and, after two early interceptions, redeemed himself with 3 TD throws, if not the win.

Last week: 32

2016: 49.3% completions, 198.5 ypg, 3-4 TD/INT, 57.5 rating

Associated PressMike Roemer

31 Paxton Lynch, Broncos

Not only did Denver lose that OT thriller to KC last week, but the Broncos also lost Trevor Siemian for this Sunday when he hurt his left foot on the last of the Chiefs’ five sacks. Denver had better protect the rookie better than it did in his first start, when he was sacked six times by Atlanta in the team’s first loss. The defending champs are fighting for a playoff spot

Last week: NR

2016: 62.7%, 196.5 ypg, 2-1 TD/INT, 86.3 rating

USA TODAY SportsMatt Kartozian

30 Jared Goff, Rams

The No. 1 pick made a big stride in his second start last week at New Orleans, throwing his first three career TD passes. Sure, they came against the Saints’ sorry secondary and the Rams got blown out, but 21 points for that offense is a big improvement.

Last week: 31

2016: 58.7%, 174 ypg, 3-1 TD/INT, 83.3 rating

Derick E. HingleUSA TODAY Sport

29 Josh McCown, Browns

Threw for 312 yards vs. the Giants, but with 0-12 Cleveland on a bye week, Cody Kessler coming back from concussion and RG3 back too, it’s anyone’s job.

Last week: 29

2016: 54.5%, 220 ypg, 6-6 TD/INT, 72.3 rating

28 Colin Kaepernick, 49ers

Kap had his best game of the season last week at Miami – even as he faced more controversy – with 409 total yards and three TD passes but was stopped at the 2 as time expired, dropping San Francisco to a franchise-worst 10th straight loss.

Last week: 30

2016: 55.3%, 205.7 ypg, 10-3 TD/INT, 87 rating

Jasen VinloveUSA TODAY Sports

27 Ryan Fitzpatrick, Jets

Got his job back and rewarded coach Todd Bowles by almost leading New York to an upset of New England last week. But after Tom Brady drove for the go-ahead score, Fitz fumbled and that was a wrap.

Last week: 28

2016: 57.6%, 225.2 ypg, 10-13 TD/INT, 72.2 rating

26 Blake Bortles, Jaguars

Finally led Jacksonville to a score on its opening drive – for the first time in 25 games – didn’t throw a pick and ran for a career-high 81 yards last week at Buffalo. But the Jags still dropped their sixth straight, and now they get the Broncos at home, where they have yet to win a game.

Last week: 27

2016: 59.6%, 249.9 ypg, 20-13 TD/INT, 80.6 rating

Peter G. AikenGetty Images

25 Brock Osweiler, Texans

Threw three picks last week against San Diego as Houston lost at home for the first time. Osweiler is now tied with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Blake Bortles for the league lead in interceptions (13), but coach Bill O’Brien rejected any suggestion of benching him.

Last week: 26

2016: 59.5%, 209.7 ypg, 12-13 TD/INT, 72.2 rating

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24 Andy Dalton, Bengals

Fumbled three times in last week’s loss at Baltimore, losing two with one returned for a TD. Cincy, averaging four points in the fourth quarter, scored five – only when Baltimore took a safety on the final play – and looks like a lock to miss the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

Last week: 18

2016: 63.5%, 276.6 ypg, 12-6 TD/INT, 89.7 rating

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

23 Cam Newton, Panthers

Bounced back from a horrific 4.9 first-half passer rating to rally Carolina out of a huge hole last week at Oakland. But he was outdueled by Derek Carr in the end and stripped on a sack to seal the loss.

Last week: 24

2016: 55.8%, 243.2 ypg, 13-8 TD/INT, 81.4 rating

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22 Joe Flacco, Ravens

Nineteen points were enough to beat the Bengals last week – with help from Justin Tucker and the defense – and pull into a tie atop the AFC North.

Last week: 23

2016: 63.3%, 261.5 ypg, 11-10, 80.4 rating

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21 Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins

Threw for three TDs last week vs. the Niners to stretch Miami’s win streak to six, its longest since 2005.

Last week: 22

2016: 66%, 234 ypg, 15-8 TD/INT, 94.7 rating

20 Tyrod Taylor, Bills

Rex Ryan says don’t call Taylor a game manager, but he’s sticking to a conservative game plan and avoiding turnovers to keep Buffalo in the playoff hunt with last week’s win over Jacksonville.

Last week: 21

2016: 61.7%, 191 ypg, 11-4 TD/INT, 87.8 rating

19 Carson Wentz, Eagles

Last week’s loss to Packers was the third time in four games that Wentz failed to throw a TD pass. He has five interceptions in that span.

Last week: 19

2016: 63.5%, 235.7 ypg, 11-8 TD/INT, 83.4 rating

AP PhotoMatt Rourke

18 Carson Palmer, Cardinals

Brought just 19 points to a shootout in Atlanta last week. Latest loss leaves Arizona looking like a long shot to make the playoffs.

Last week: 20

2016: 60.9%, 293.1 ypg, 15-11 TD/INT, 83.3 rating

17 Alex Smith, Chiefs

Smith and KC overcame those red zone woes when they had to, forcing OT with a TD and 2-point conversion last week at Denver and escaping with a win.

Last week: 17

2016: 66.2%, 229.7 ypg, 10-4 TD/INT, 89.7 rating

AP

16 Jameis Winston, Buccaneers

Needed just two TD passes to Mike Evans on Tampa’s first two drives to beat Russell Wilson and Seattle in last week’s most surprising result.

Last week: 16

2016: 61.3%, 263.6 ypg, 23-11 TD/INT, 89.7 rating

Reinhold MatayUSA TODAY Sports

15 Sam Bradford, Vikings

Failed to find the end zone until the last minute Thursday night against the Cowboys but was a 2-point conversion away from forcing OT. Bradford remains poised under pressure, but lack of scoring is sinking the ship with losses in six of seven games.

Last week: 13

2016: 71.2%, 242 ypg, 13-3 TD/INT, 97.5 rating

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14 Eli Manning, Giants

Threw three TD passes to beat the Browns last week and run New York’s win streak to six, but FOX Sports’ Chris Chase calls the Giants “painfully average.”

Last week: 15

2016: 63.2%, 263.8 ypg, 20-10 TD/INT, 90.1 rating

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13 Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Pulled Green Bay out of its nosedive with 313 passing yards to hand Philly its first home loss. Maybe Rodgers really can run the table. Don’t look now, but FOX Sports’ Chris Chase predicts the Pack will win their division.

Last week: 14

2016: 64.4%, 279.5 ypg, 27-7 TD/INT, 97.8 rating

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12 Kirk Cousins, Redskins

Threw for 449 yards and three scores last week at Dallas and is on pace to throw for 5,149 yards, which only Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning have done. How you like him now? Bad news is he won’t have Jordan Reed on Sunday against the Cardinals.

Last week: 12

2016: 68.4%, 321.8 ypg, 20-7 TD/INT, 101.4 rating

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11 Andrew Luck, Colts

Sat out last week’s loss to the Steelers with a concussion but was cleared to return Monday vs. the Jets with the AFC South title still up for grabs. Luck has absorbed a league-leading 35 sacks this season, so Indy had better protect him.

Last week: 11

2016: 62.9%, 282.7 ypg, 19-8 TD/INT, 93.9 rating

AP

10 Russell Wilson, Seahawks

Last week’s 14-5 loss at Tampa was the third time Seattle has been held to six points or fewer. That’s fatal for Russ’ MVP chances.

Last week: 3

2016: 64.7%, 260.5 ypg, 11-4 TD/INT, 93.9 rating

9 Philip Rivers, Chargers

Threw three TD passes last week at Houston to keep San Diego’s playoff hopes alive.

Last week: 10

2016: 62.9%, 284.4 ypg, 23-12 TD/INT, 93.9 rating

Troy TaorminaUSA TODAY Sports

8 Marcus Mariota, Titans

Pulled Tennessee back to .500 with a win last week at Chicago now heads into a bye before hosting Denver.

Last week: 9

2016: 64.3%, 249.8 ypg, 25-8 TD/INT, 101.9 rating

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7 Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Pittsburgh has bounced back from a four-game skid with back-to-back wins, including last week over a Luckless Colts team. Big Ben turned to a tried-and-true answer: Throw three TD passes to Antonio Brown. Needs to do it again Sunday against ODB and the Giants.

Last week: 8

2016: 64.9%, 274.5 ypg, 23-7 TD/INT, 99.5 rating

Getty ImagesKevin C. Cox

6 Dak Prescott, Cowboys

The rookie was held under 200 passing yards for the second straight game Thursday night at Minnesota, by a Vikings defense that limited him to 139 yards and forced a fumble. And it might’ve stopped him, if not for Dallas getting some good fortune, starting with a crucial turnover Prescott turned into a go-ahead TD.

Last week: 6

2016: 67.8%, 247.8 ypg, 19-2 TD/INT, 108.6 rating

Bruce KluckhohnUSA TODAY Sports

5 Matt Ryan, Falcons

Led Atlanta to 38 points in last week’s win over Arizona and moved closer to a first playoff spot since 2012.

Last week: 7

2016: 68.9%, 319.6 ypg, 26-6 TD/INT, 114.3 rating

Chris Graythen/Getty Images

4 Matt Stafford, Lions

Led another fourth-quarter comeback to beat the Vikings last week. That’s how Detroit has done it in six of its seven wins. And Matt Stafford has thrown one interception in his past seven games. As a result, Lions are in a position to win their first division title since 1993.

Last week: 5

2016: 66.8%, 262.1 ypg, 19-5 TD/INT, 99.3 rating

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3 Drew Brees, Saints

Blistered the Rams’ defense for 49 points last week, passing for 310 yards with five total TDs. Brees is having his best season in five years. If he maintains his completion percentage of 71.5, he’ll break the NFL record of 71.2 he set in 2011. He leads the NFL with 3,587 yards and 30 TD passes. “I don’t know why they’ve lost six games,” Lions safety Glover Quin said ahead of Sunday’s matchup.

Last week: 4

2016: 71.5%, 326.1 ypg, 30-8 TD/INT, 109.1 rating

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2 Derek Carr, Raiders

Don’t worry, Raiders fans: Carr’s pinkie is “doing great, how’s yours?” That wasn’t how it looked as Oakland was allowing a 17-point comeback by Carolina last week, but Carr came back from his injury to lead it to win No. 9.

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